Irish hospitals are working on protocols for dealing with future Status Red weather alerts.

According to management at Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, questions have been raised about how staff should be compensated for working "above and beyond" during weather emergencies.

"HSE staff who came to work on red alert weather warning storm days will be paid for time worked and receive time off in lieu," it stated.

"Staff who could not get to work or whose place of work was closed due to red alert weather warning will be paid as normal and won't have to take annual leave.

"HR will lead a working group to establish a clear protocol for dealing with future red weather alerts with a view to reporting before the end of June 2018."

Some healthcare staff stayed at their place of work for five days during Storm Emma.

The HSE told the Irish Independent that it received notice from Met Éireann that a weather warning was in place for a number of counties ahead of yesterday's snow.

"There is a standard electronic notification process in place from Met Éireann to the HSE when a weather alert arises. This was provided as normal on Friday for the orange weather alert," said a spokesperson.